In situ formation of HRh(CO) 2(PPh 3) 2 active species on the surface of a SBA-15 supported heterogeneous catalyst and the effect of support pore size on the hydroformylation of propene

Abstract

A method of in situ formation of HRh(CO) 2(PPh 3) 2 active species on the surface of heterogeneous Rh/SBA-15 catalyst has been developed and confirmed in this work. The amount of active species formed inside the pores can be controlled by the support pore size. This class of PPh 3-Rh/SBA-15 catalyst has been employed in propene hydroformylation to be highly active, selective, stable, easily workable and recyclable. Using TEM, solid-state 31P MAS NMR, and in situ FT-IR, HRh(CO) 2(PPh 3) 2 active species can be characterized.